NO DTS 0530: DTSG COMPLETES TRADITIONAL RULERS SECRETARIAT, READY FOR INAUGURATION
NO DTS 0531: AIRPORT CONCESSION: ASABA SETS TO HOUSE CARGO SHADES IN NIGERIA – TILIJE
NO DTS 0532: DELTA SUBEB COMMENCES TRAINING, DISTRIBUTION OF FARM EQUIPMENT TO SCHOOLS
NO DTS 0533: DELTA ALGON CHAIRMAN EBONKA LISTS PRIORITY AREAS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION
NO DTS 0534: NIGERIAN-SAO TOME SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS TO INDIGENT STUDENTS KICKS OFF IN DELTA
NO DTS 0535: CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH, OUR CORE MANDATE – SAYS IZEGEDE
NO DTS 0536: UGHELLI COMMUNITIES APPEAL FOR DREDGING OF WATERWAYS, ESTABLISHMENT OF HOSPITAL
Editor: Johnson Ebigide
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NO DTS 0530: ASABA, NIGERIA THURSDAY MARCH 18, 2021
DTSG COMPLETES TRADITIONAL RULERS SECRETARIAT, READY FOR INAUGURATION
Delta State Government has completed the Traditional Rulers Secretariat and ready for inauguration in Asaba, the state capital.
The Commissioner for Housing, Chief Festus Ochonogor, made this known while conducting newsmen round some projects in Asaba.
Ochonogor, who was in the company of his Information counterpart, Mr Charles Aniagwu, did not, however, give the date the project would be inaugurated, but said it would be soon.
He also said that the new Media Centre in the Government House, the offices and residential quarter buildings of the Secretary to the State Government and the Chief of Staff under construction would be completed later in the year.
Ochonogor said that the media centre, which was inherited by the Governor Okowa Administration from its predecessor, was being remodelled to meet new standard and to provide adequate accommodation for the governor’s media team.
“The press centre is an old structure inherited by this administration from the previous administration.”
“The governor decided to finish the job because he believes that government infrastructure must be strengthened and that the media is very critical in governance.”
“So, leaving the structure uncompleted wouldn’t be a good legacy as we are rounding off.”
“We have taken note of the observations made, which is normal and we will do the best we can to try to handle some of the issues highlighted by the Commissioner for Information,” he said.
He said that the gigantic traditional rulers council secretariat was a deliberate effort to provide the royal fathers a world-class meeting point to contribute in advancing a stronger Delta vision and also build a bridge of peace in their domains.
The commissioner described Governor Okowa as the “architect of modern day Delta” with his developmental efforts and called on contractors handling projects in the state to redouble efforts to meet deadlines.
He pledged to sustain visits to project sites and lauded the contractors for the pace and quality of jobs done so far.
“The traditional rulers council secretariat project was started by Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and he has completed it. He decided to build a secretariat for traditional rulers in order to strengthen governance infrastructure.”
“Traditional rulers are part of the governance, as they help us at the community level.”
“When they are here for discussions, they will be comfortable and we have council chambers, conference halls, library, offices, arts gallery, reception, bedrooms, kitchen, and 18 rooms apartment for the Directorate of Chieftaincy Affairs,” he stated.
On his part, the Commissioner for Information, Aniagwu, said that the administration of Governor Okowa would continue to embark on landmark projects until May 29, 2023 and solicited the support of all in building a Stronger Delta.
Aniagwu said that the three projects were dear to the state government and would be completed for the good of all,
He expressed government’s readiness to providing people-oriented projects to fast track development.
On the traditional rulers’ council secretariat, the commissioner said that the edifice was to provide offices for the traditional rulers and staff of the Directorate of Chieftaincy Affairs in addition to the sustenance of cordial relationship between it and royal fathers because of their inputs to the peace and development of any society.
“You recall that we started from the media centre in the Government House where we made some comments as to the necessary adjustments that need to be made to meet the demands of the modern day.”
“The governor has also made it clear that in spite of the fact that we are mid way into the second term of his administration, he will continue to inaugurate projects until May 29th, 2023, last day in office as governor.”
“For us to realise the ambition of the governor, we need to make sure the contractors are on their toes; hence, these inspections.”
“The governor may not have all the time to inspect these projects; hence, he mandated us to come from time to time to do these inspections,” Aniagwu explained.
NO DTS 0531: ASABA, NIGERIA THURSDAY MARCH 18, 2021
AIRPORT CONCESSION: ASABA SETS TO HOUSE CARGO SHADES IN NIGERIA – TILIJE
By Florence Nwabuonwu
Delta State Commissioner for Finance, Sir Fidelis Okenmor Tilije, has assured Deltans that in the next few years, Asaba would become the hub of business in the South South geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
The commissioner stated this while fielding questions from members of the Asaba Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), who paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Asaba, the state capital.
Sir Tilije said that more than 75% percent of cargos that came into Nigeria landed first in Lagos, as the state housed most of the major air and sea ports in the country, adding that with the need to decongest the cargo traffic in Lagos to the South East and South South regions in the country, which would in turn boost trade and business activities in the region, the recent concession of the Asaba International Airport would boost economic activities in the capital territory.
He said that the state government was mindful of the kind of businesses in the state; hence, it had embarked on the overhauling of the Warri and Koko ports which were being upgraded to export goods through the Asaba Airport or Warri Sea Port.
He further said that for the ease of transportation of goods, the Okowa Administration had embarked on fixing of the intra state roads, connecting Asaba, Ogwashi Uku, Ughelli and Warri which, he said, would be ready before the end of the 2021 fiscal year.
He maintained that “we are very happy with the business arrangement; it took us more than nine months to go through the concession agreement so that it would be a win win situation because if you are partnering in business with any business organisation, you must allow your partner benefit too. We are grateful to God for the opportunity to concession the airport.”
The Chairman of Asaba Correspondent Chapel, Ogbeni Dominic Adewole in his response thanked the commissioner for his warmth reception.
He said that he was pleased with the great job the commissioner was doing by prudently managing the finances of the state, adding that as the watchdogs of the society, journalists would be very professional in their reportage by balancing their stories at all times.
He said that a robust working relationship between the commissioner and the journalists would be sustained.
NO DTS 0532: ASABA, NIGERIA THURSDAY MARCH 18, 2021
DELTA SUBEB COMMENCES TRAINING, DISTRIBUTION OF FARM EQUIPMENT TO SCHOOLS
Sharon Ivovi
In a bid to make Agricultural Science more practical oriented at the basic education level as well as equip learners with functional entrepreneurial knowledge and life skills in Agriculture, the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has commenced trainings in Agriculture and the distribution of farm equipment to schools in the state.
The Executive Chairman of the board, Honourable Sunny Ogwu who supervised the distribution exercise of the farm equipment to the benefitting schools on Wednesday, March 17, 2021 at Asaba during a one-day sensitization exercise on Agricultural Education training programme for Education Secretaries, Agric HODs, head teachers and School Based Management Committee Chairmen across the state, said that the initiative was to further reinvigorate the practice of Agricultural Science in schools.
The SUBEB boss disclosed that the one-day sensitization exercise organized by the board in collaboration with the Universal Basic Education Commission under the 2018/2019 Agricultural Educational Training Programme (AETP) and distribution of farm equipment to benefitting schools was introduced by the Universal Basic Education Commission to bridge the seeming gap observed in the practicality of agriculture, adding that UBEC earmarked 2% of the UBE intervention Matching Grant and counterpart funds for the implementation of the scheme.
Honourable Ogwu, who further stated that the scheme would provide learners with requisite skills to stimulate self-employment, charged benefitting schools to be steadfast in ensuring that the exercise was successful, even as he urged the School Based Management Committee (SBMC) to work closely with benefitting schools where the various school farms were situated for the security of the farms.
The SUBEB Chairman, while commending the State Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, for working tirelessly to see that Basic Education enjoyed all its benefits through the continuous contribution of the state quota of its counterpart funding of UBEC intervention projects, stated that the board had accessed the Agricultural Educational Training Programme funds, which he said was first of its kind in the state.
He also solicited for the support of all stakeholders, including local government education authorities, school based management committees, parents/teachers association, the Ministry of Agriculture, the media, successful farmers and professional bodies, among others to make the programme successful in the state.
Earlier, the Director, Academic Services, Mrs. Okpeh Francisca in her address said that the meeting was aimed at reviving Agricultural Education at the Basic Education level and reawaken the need of making Agricultural studies more practical by connecting the schools to farms.
Mrs. Okpeh revealed that the laudable project as planned by UBEC and SUBEB would begin with a pilot phase of 27 selected schools across the state and urged stakeholders, especially those saddled with the responsibility of basic education at the grassroots level to be alive with their responsibility in ensuring that the programme succeeded.
NO DTS 0533: ASABA, NIGERIA THURSDAY MARCH 18, 2021
DELTA ALGON CHAIRMAN EBONKA LISTS PRIORITY AREAS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION
By Egbo Ewomazino
The Chairman Delta State Chapter of Association of Local Government of Nigeria(ALGON), Honourable (Barr.) Victor Ebonka, has revealed that the newly inaugurated council chairmen in the 25 local government councils in Delta State would place more premium on Primary HealthCare, Security and Environmental Sustainability in their administration.
Honourable Ebonka disclosed this when he visited the Chairman, Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Isioma Okobah in her office in Asaba, the state capital.
The ALGON Chairman, who is also the Chairman, Ika North East Local Government Area in the state, said that considering the importance of healthcare, the council chairmen were poised to impact meaningfully in the provision of healthcare delivery, particularly at the primary healthcare.
He noted that Primary Health Care (PHC) remained the easiest and accessible health service provider, adding that the challenges being experienced in the sector would be under studied.
” I am conversant with PHC. My administration as a chairman in my first tenure supported PHCs. Ika North East was among the first local governments in the state to establish Local Government Health Authority. Despite the paucity of funds relevant health commodities were purchased for use in the various PHCs.”
Honourable Ebonka commended the state governor for his leadership disposition and the commitment to provision of sustainable healthcare for Deltans, particularly the Contributory Health Insurance Scheme which, he said, had brought health succour to Deltans and residents in the state.
Earlier, the Chairman of DSPHCDA, Dr Okobah, expressed delight at the ALGON Chairman’s Visit.
While listing some areas ALGON could strengthen the activities of PHC, Dr Okobah applauded the contribution of council chairmen towards the improvement of primary healthcare delivery in the state.
NO DTS 0534: ASABA, NIGERIA THURSDAY MARCH 18, 2021
NIGERIAN-SAO TOME SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS TO INDIGENT STUDENTS KICKS OFF IN DELTA
By Chika Opiah
The Nigerian-Sao Tome and Principe Joint Development Authority has approved to grant scholarship to selected indigent students of Delta State origin in Nigerian Universities.
This statement was contained in a release issued by the Executive Secretary of the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board, Mr Sunday Orishedere, in Asaba the state capital.
According to the release, those eligible to apply for the scholarship must be undergraduate students in their first year of study in any Nigerian universities.
The award is open to all courses of study, the release added.
The release indicated that applicants details would include the applicants contact name/institution, letter of LGA of origin, undergraduate status (admission letter and school ID card.
Other details are email address, phone numbers and National identity Number (NIN).
The statement urged interested and qualified Deltans in Nigerian universities to submit their applications to the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship, Board’s email, dsbsb@deltastate.gov.ng, on or before March 26, 2021.
It stated that prospective awardees would undergo an independent online assessment to be conducted by the operating partner to determine their suitability for the award.
NO DTS 0535: ASABA, NIGERIA THURSDAY MARCH 18, 2021
CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH, OUR CORE MANDATE – SAYS IZEGEDE
By Christian Ogoh
The Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, (NYCN), Delta State Chapter, Comrade Christian Izegede, has said the council would not relent in the fulfilment of the core mandate of ensuring capacity development of youths in Ika Land.
Comrade Izegede made the declaration during an inspection tour at the Mbiri Skill Acquisition Centre in Ika North East Local Government Area of Delta State.
According to him, “our core mandate is geared towards ensuring capacity development of our youths through skill acquisitions that will enable them to be self employed.”
“ This is why youths in Ika South is partnering with D-Peterson Foundation to train 100 youths in Ika South Local Government Area of which some of them have commenced their training,” he stated.
Continuing, he expressed his satisfaction with the facilities on ground at the centre, saying that the youth council would continue to seek avenues both from Government and individuals for the advancement and growth of youths in the locality.
While charging the trainees to abide by the rules of the centre, he enjoined them to put in efforts to acquire the needed knowledge they are enrolled for.
“ We expect you to emerge tops in order not to waste the huge investment by your sponsors. We look forward to your positive manifestation that will in effect bring about transformation in Ika Land, Delta State and Nigeria in general,” he said.
In her remarks, the Director of the Mbiri Skill Acquisition centre, Mrs. Doris Omodon, said that the centre was equipped with modern training facilities and qualified instructors and teachers.
While Commending D-Peterson Foundation and the NYCN for their investment in training some youths, she said that “measures are on ground to see to ensure best outputs of the trainees who have since started their training in various vocations.”
NO DTS 0536: ASABA, NIGERIA THURSDAY MARCH 18, 2021
UGHELLI COMMUNITIES APPEAL FOR DREDGING OF WATERWAYS, ESTABLISHMENT OF HOSPITAL
By Ambrose Ologide
Two ancient Urhobo communities of Effurun-Otor and Ovwor in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State have appealed to the state government for the dredging of the waterways and establishment of a general hospital in the locality.
The appeal was contained in a joint address presented on behalf of the two communities by the Secretary of Effurun-Otor Kingdom Traditional Council of Chiefs, High Chief George Ijabor, during the commissioning of the Effurun – Otor / Ovwor Bridge in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.
The communities stated that dredging the river from Ughelli Market through Effurun-Otor to the Okpare Community would boost the economy of the area and enhance easy movements of people and goods in the locality.
It added that just as the commissioned bridge in the area had united the various communities in the area, dredging the said river would be another plus in the determination of the state government to open up the locality for greater developments.
While commending the Effurun-Otor monarch for his role in the actualisation of the bridge project, it humbly requested for the establishment of a general hospital in Ovwor Community.
In his response, Governor Okowa promised to look into the request of the communities.
In a media interactions with newsmen shortly after the commissioning of the bridge, the President-General of Effurun – Otor Kingdom, Chief Francis Uzo, noted that the event was an historic and glorious moment in the area, adding that it had opened a new vista of hope for the people in the locality, even as he urged the benefiting communities to maintain, make good use of the commissioned bridge and avoid trading on it.
